The university is close to reaching an agreement with Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt to become the Vols' new head coach, ESPN's Chris Low reported. Low also reported that Pruitt will coach Alabama's defense in the Crimson Tide's College Football Playoff semifinal game against Clemson.

Jimmy Hyams of Knoxville, Tenn., radio station WNML reported earlier that UT had offered Pruitt the job and Pruitt had accepted.

Tennessee was set to hire Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano as its coach last month, but the deal fell through after fans and media protested. UT fired John Currie as athletic director after the Schiano episode and as Currie was courting Washington State coach Mike Leach. Fulmer, the legendary former Vols head coach, was hired as AD.

Had Pruitt decided to leave Alabama prior to the CFP, the Tide would have been without a key member of its staff during the playoff for the second consecutive year. Lane Kiffin was relieved of his offensive coordinator duties after the CFP semifinals and before Alabama's loss to Clemson in the the national championship game. Kiffin had accepted an offer to become Florida Atlantic's head coach.